Leafs ink Broll

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QMI Agency

Jul 29, 2011

, Last Updated: 6:55 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward David Broll to a three-year, entry-level contract Friday.

Broll, a 6-foot-1, 225-pounder, was chosen 152nd overall by Toronto in the 2011 entry draft. In 65 games last season with Erie and Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL, Broll, a native of Mississauga, had 13 goals and 21 assists along with 85 penalty minutes.

MODANO DONE?

Detroit Red Wings forward Mike Modano could be close to ending his playing days.

Modano hinted on a Dallas radio station that he may not play again. He missed three months of the 2010-11 season when he severed three tendons and a nerve in his right arm during a game in Columbus Nov. 26 then managed just two goals and four assists in 18 games after he came back.

"I think that was the swan song," Modano told 1310 AM. "The injury really was a big buzz kill."

Modano, 41, says he isn't working out to prepare for the 2011-12 season even though he hasn't made a decision on his future. But he did say he'd make an announcement "in a couple of weeks."

DANTON TO SWEDEN

Mike Danton will take his first step towards possibly returning to the NHL in Sweden.

The 30-year-old ex-convict has signed with IFK Ore, a team in Sweden's third division that averaged fewer than 200 fans per game last season. IFK Ore plays in Furudal, a small village 300 kilometres north of Stockholm.

Danton, a former NHLer who spent five years in a U.S. prison for his part in a murder-for-hire plot, played university hockey with St. Mary's the last two seasons.

"Of course we have discussed his past, but you can't judge someone for life," IFK Ore general manager Jens Nielsen told Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. "What's done is done, and now he seems eager to get away from North America and find the calm here."

The Swedish report comes on the heels of a tweet from Danton Thursday night that said, "Just signed my first pro contract in eight years. I'm off to Sweden for the 2011-2012 season. Thanks to everyone for their support."

DEVILS HIRE BARR

Former Minnesota Wild assistant coach Dave Barr was added to the New Jersey Devils staff Friday.

Barr, who was let go by the Wild when head coach Todd Richards was fired after the 2010-11 season, will serve as an assistant to Peter DeBoer on the Devils coaching staff. Larry Robinson and Adam Oates are the other assistants.

"Dave Barr has had a successful post-playing career for 16 years on many levels in the IHL, AHL, OHL, and NHL," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said on the team's website. "We were fortunate to have him as a player in New Jersey for two years, and look forward to have him joining us as a member of our coaching staff."

Barr, 50, has also heen an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche and was coach/GM of the Guelph Storm of the OHL from 2004-08.

In 614 NHL games as a player, Barr had 128 goals and 204 assists. He played for six NHL teams, including the Devils from 1991-93.

SAVARD STILL HURTING

Boston Bruins centre Marc Savard is still having concussion-related headaches, according to the Boston Globe.

The report, which cites Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli as its source, also says Savard probably won't be healthy in time for training camp in September. But the Bruins and Savard, 34, haven't ruled out the possibility of him playing at some point in 2011-12.

Savard was hurt in January when he was hit by Colorado Avalanche defenceman Matt Hunwick.

The concussion, which kept him out of the playoffs, may also cost Savard the chance to get his name on the Stanley Cup. No decision has been made on whether he will have his name engraved on the Cup but he will get to spend a day with it Monday in Peterborough.

JETS GET CAPPED

The Winnipeg Jets' minor-league affiliate will be known as the St. John's IceCaps.

Danny Williams, president of the new AHL team (formerly the Manitoba Moose), announced the decision Friday while revealing the team's logo, a snow-capped mountain peak in a blue circle overlaid with IceCaps. The team's colours will mirror those of the Jets.

"In every aspect of my life from business to politics to hockey, I have always made every effort to promote this incredible province to the world, as a unique and attractive place," Williams said. "In this name and with this logo, we have captured the essence of what it is to be a province in the middle of the North Atlantic."

The IceCaps' home opener will be played Oct. 14 at the Mile One Centre.